Alice's Story: Chapter 4
Mar. 2nd, 2012 02:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
antimacassar
[Previously: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3]
Warnings: Cartoon Blood, Mild Language
"The walls of my castle are cracked, the shadows are many. But come in. Feel yourself at home."
- film version of "Dracula"
The lightning was unnaturally bright across the starry sky. Unlike normal storms, no puffy rainclouds accompanied the flashes of light. Not a breath of air stirred the ivy.
...
...
...
Elizabeth dropped Alice like she was a sack of potatoes.
“There. I’ve upheld my part of the bargain.”
“You have, indeed, and she smells delicious,” the strange, rasping voice was like ice.
With a jerky motion the owner of the voice approached Elizabeth.
She stroked Elizabeth’s cheek with a cold, pale hand, “You have done well, if more melodramatically than I would have liked…”
“Do you really think that silly pendant and your stupid costume can somehow save the girl?”
“You’re one to talk of melodrama,” Elizabeth hissed, shoving the thing’s hand away.
“Yes,” the chuckle that burst from the dry, scarred lips sounded like a scratching file, “What would you expect me to do? Prance around in a high rise apartment? This is much more to my taste.”
“I’ve fulfilled our agreement. Now release me!” Elizabeth’s voice was pleading and bitter, “I’ve done all you asked. Set me free!”
“Darling!” the strange creature drawled in that same, cold, dead voice, stretching the first syllable to shame the proudest Southern belle. Her lip curled in a strange imitation of a pout, “Have you forgotten? It was you who begged me to make that agreement in the first place!”
“I have done as you asked,” Elizabeth’s voice rose and turned rasping, “Release me!”
“Have you forgotten that it was you who brought me back? You, who raised me from the shadows to do your bidding?”
"No," Elizabeth whispered.
“I gave you all you ever wanted, all your dreams came true because of me,” the voice was syrupy now.
“You have served me well, my silly darling, and you have been repaid.”
“Now, let me have your little gift,” the creature licked her lips and her black, depthless eyes focused on the limp form of Alice.
...
“No!” A burst of magic erupted from Elizabeth’s hands and shot towards the creature as she approached her prey.
It absorbed the barrage of magic as if it was a mere raindrop and bared its teeth.
“That was foolish, my dear, very foolish,” a strange pulse quivered on her skin.“You have neglected my teachings, child, you are weak and I am strong.”
“I have grown in ways that you could never imagine,” Elizabeth spat, “I have learned new ways that have made me stronger than you could ever be.”
The creature carelessly gestured with her hands and Elizabeth twisted in pain.
“You stupid girl, did you think you could come here with your new “powers” and fight me? I, who have seen a thousand civilizations fall and breathed the scent of a thousand deaths?”
Elizabeth stumbled to the ground as another wave of magic sent hit her.
“Well, my child, you are in luck. I do owe you this body,” the creature stretched appreciatively, “So it would be wise for you to remember who holds your allegiance and not try my patience.”
Elizabeth deliberately turned her back and let herself go limp. The cold stone floor gave her no comfort, and her shoulders shook silently.
“Besides,” the creature turned back to Alice, “The smell of our guest is quite distracting. There really is nothing like a Grilled Cheese Sim for taste and aroma. I am pleased you followed my instructions on that matter, at least.”
Elizabeth didn’t move as the creature pulled Alice to her feet…
And bit into her neck…
“Aaah!” the creature screamed and dropped Alice with a thud.
Twitching and shrieking she clawed at her throat. Elizabeth leaped to her feet and stared in horror.
Blood dripped down the creature’s lips and her demonic cries shook the ceiling.
"Damn you! What have you done to me!?!" She coughed and spluttered.
Regaining her footing the creature turned on Elizabeth with a beast-like snarl, “You idiot, you fool! You could have killed me! I will make you pay for bringing me an elf-brat, wretch!”
“I… No… I didn’t… Lamia, I swear I had no idea she was an elf! The blood tests, her family history, showed nothing, I was sure she was a human!” Elizabeth gabbled in confusion.
“Obviously you were mistaken. You have failed me for the last time..."
Elizabeth screamed and covered her ears as a pulse of magic swirled around her.
Beleaguered by the creature’s spells, Elizabeth fell to her knees, “Please, Lamia, the bond has been sealed,” she begged, "The magic is binding, I performed the ritual! We can still find a way to dilute the magic. She cannot be full-elf!"
“Very well,” Lamia’s voice had returned to its usual pitch, “I would hate to have all our years of work go down the drain just because of another one of your mistakes.”
Elizabeth pressed her forehead to the floor in obeisance, her body shook with dry sobs.
“I am sorry you have failed me, my dear, really I am. I'm sure you realize now you will have to give me what I need.”
...
...
...
*****
When Elizabeth came to the room was dark and still. The hard floor had created new knots in her neck and her body was numb from cold. More importantly, however, she could not feel her magic.
Damn, damn, damn, she thought. Every muscle screamed out in protest as she rolled over.
A voice cut through the silence and brought the blood pumping to Elizabeth's ears, "Where the hell are we?"
"Nowhere," her mind raced as she tried to think up an explanation. If that greedy witch had left her any magic she would have been able to keep up the sleeping spell. "Just a friend's place, I think we did a little too much celebrating..."
"Ugh, I feel awful," Alice tried to stand up but her knees gave way.
"Stay here, I'm going to say our goodbyes and find a car," Elizabeth summoned the small fizzes of magic she could feel slowly returning, "Go to sleep!"
...
"Lamia!" The room was quiet but Elizabeth knew the creature was there. After several tense seconds there was a reply, "What do you want? I've had enough of you today, get out and take your elf-brat with you!"
"But Lamia, Ali-the girl is awake! I do not have enough magic to wipe her memory," it took every ounce of control in Elizabeth's body to keep her tone neutral, "I come to you for orders, m'lady."
"You're the one with all the grand plans, don't ask me. If you had not failed you would not be in this situation! Your stupid blunder has robbed me of the little strength I possessed." The voice turned icy, "But I warn you, if you do not find a way to repair your failure I will use my last breath to kill you and your precious elf. I want blood. And if I don't get what I want, everyone will suffer."
"I hear and obey, mistress," Elizabeth's mind was racing, "As you say, I have grand plans... First, I need your help. Ali-the girl will wake any moment now and I have no strength."
...
...
...
...
...
...
-------------------------
Notes:
- Thank you all so much for your support! Without you, this little story could never have happened.
- Basements are a pain. So is magic.
- Credit for the amazing house.
- Thank you all so much for your support! Without you, this little story could never have happened.
- Basements are a pain. So is magic.
- Credit for the amazing house.
- crossposted toLivejournal
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-03 03:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-03 06:06 pm (UTC)